Machine for die-cutting paper



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1948 INVENTOR.

Jam 4,, 119% E. F. NOELL 2,495,659

MACHINE FOR DIE CUTTING PAPER Filed March 25, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 J INVENTOR.

A f meA/yJ Jam, 241-, W10 NOELL 2,495,659

MACHINE FOR DIE CUTTING PAPER Filed March 25, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 11V VEN TOR.

W /W,Emq

Patented Jan. 24, 1950 MACHINE FOR DIE-CUTTING PAPER Elmer F. Noell, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Printing Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 25, 1948, Serial No. 16,983

This invention relates to improvements in label cutting or trimming machines of the class utilized in die-cutting printed stacks of labels, booklets, calendar pads and the like. ,1

Machines of this character employ a hollow or tubular cutting die cooperating with a poweroperated cutting block or ram, the die being positioned above the ram and the work stacks being forced through the die during the upward stroke of the ram. The stacks, which previously have been blanked out to square or rectangular shape, are delivered by a feed plunger to the cutting block. Stationary guide plates are located around the cutting block so as to locate the stack in accurate registry with the die.

As the cutting block ascends toward the die, the stack is guided by these plates and is die-cut to required shape on being forced through the hollow die. The labels or work sheets have a printed face, which may or may not be enclosed by, marginal lines, and the die is shaped to the desired contour. The work sheets are slightly over-sized so that on bein forced through the die, the trimmed marginal edges of the stack follow the exterior surface of the die, eventually to fall into a discharge chute. The die-cut stacks pass through the die into a magazine rising from the top of the die.

A machine of this design is disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 728,751, now Patent 2,483,735, granted October 4, 1949, to which attention is invited. The present improvements may be incorporated in this machine as Well as in other paper-cutting machinery of this general nature.

In order to permit the stacked work sheets to be fed in upon the cutting block, it is usual to provide a slight amount of working clearance between the guide plates and the stack, otherwise it would be difficult to feed the stacks into cutting position. As applied to ordinary production, this slight amount of clearance has no particular significance, the work being of sufficient accuracy for most purposes. Greater accuracy, however, is required in many instances involving labels having intricate designs, in instances where the label has an irregular configuration, or must be trimmed more accurately with reference to the printing on its face.

Briefly, it is the concept of the present invention to provide spring-pressed guide elements associated with the guide plates in such manner that adequate clearance is provided at the lower portion, to facilitate feeding the stacks, but which take up this clearance as the upper portion of 9 Claims. (Cl. 164-21) the stack approaches the cutting edge of the die, thus aligning the face of the label with precision relative to the cutting edge of the die.

A primary object of the invention has been to provide guide means for paper cutting machines which align the stacked sheets with precition relative to the cutting edge of the die, so that work of ultimate accuracy may be produced.

A further object has been to provide an exceptionally simple automatic device for providing greater precision in the alignment of the stacks relative to the cutting edge of the die, operative upon the sheets of the stack just prior to the cutting operation, so that the guide plates may provide suflicient working clearance for receiving the stacks without havin any adverse effect on the accuracy of the cutting operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully disclosed with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure l is a general vertical sectional view of a die-cutting machine embodying the present improved stack-engaging mechanism.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 a Figure 1, further illustrating the general construction of the machine.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 Figure 1, illustrating the disposition of the stackengaging devices with reference to the cutting block of the machine.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation detailing one of the forward guide blocks in which is incorporated the improved apparatus.

Figure 5 is an end elevation projected from Figure 5, furtherdetailing the guide block structure.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 Figure 5, illustratingthe structural details of the stack-guiding mechanism with reference to the guide block.

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation partially in section, illustrating the improved stack alignment mechanism as applied to the guide finger at the throat or feed side of the machine.

Figure 8 is an end elevation further illustrating the structure of the throat guide block.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating the several parts of the apparatus at the start of the cutting stroke.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side View, illustrating on an enlarged scale, the work-engaging end of the guide block in position shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 9, illustrating the operation of the guide block as the Work stack approaches the cutting edge of the die.

the machine is disposed at an angle,forshnplicity,

the terms vertical and horizontal will be used in the specification and claims, thes'e terms referring to the axis of the'machine. Thusthe work is maintained in stacked relationship by gravity against a back guide during feeding; and

against guide plates during the cutting stroke, as hereinafter disclosed. As described in myaforesaid application, the work is placed by the operator upon afe'ed trough, and is engaged by'a'feed pusher and fed inwardly upon'a cutting bloc k or head which i's arr'an'ge d' to reciprocate vertically in time with -the"rno vein"ents of the feeder. When the-stack' is fedupon" the cutting head, it is en- 1 gagedby the guide plates and thus is maintained in alignment upon the head during the cutting stroke? A hollcw cutting die is locatedimme'diately above the block so that the stack is thrust agalhStth'cuttihg edge of the die. hollow and is shaped to the desired label outline. The blanlr'labels are slightly oversized' so that a marginal portion i's' trimmed' off as the stack is forced throughthe die. That portion of the stack which extends beyond the confines of the die travels up theeirte'rior of; the die in the form of cuttings which are discharged: from the machine; and the trimmedstacks are"forced'upwardly throught he interior of the die, passing into a magazine rising above thei'upper'edge of the die.

The present improvements are disclosed with reference to label cutting' machines of this general nature, but are not limited to'a machine of identically the sam'e design. As illustrated in Figures I-a'nd2, the present machine constitutes a base or pedestal generally'indicated at I5, having'a-drive motor and transmission unit generally indicated'at l6; Aspur gear of the transmission unit meshes witha g'ear' ll, carried upon a shaft '5 8 journalled in the lower portion of the pedestal.

This shaft has'igeyed-te ita' cam 23fo roperating the rain plunger" 2!, and ai-cam 22 for operating the feed plunger. t

A roller 23 is journalled upon the lower e'nd'of plunger 2! in contact with the periphery of cam 2B. Uponthe upper endo'f" the plunger ismounted the cutting head or block 241 It will be apparent, therefore, that the r'amplunger and'cutting head will reciprocate vertically by rotation of cam 28. The rain is'slidably mounted in the frame of the pedestal for reciprocation in the same manner as disolos ed in my co-pending' application. Inthe'same manner, the four sides of the cuttihg block are slotted 'as at 25- to receive the guide plates2ii, ZEa'and 26b, and also guide finger 56 when the block 241s elevated.

A hollow die 21' is mounted in alignment with and above the cutting 51061224 by an adjustable mounting head, indicated lgenerally at 28 (Figure 1). Mounting head 28 includes slide blocks 30 which are adjusted by means of cranks 3| having screw shafts 32 to permit convenient mounting and dismounting of the die. For this purpose, the upper edge of the dieincludes an undercut groove 33 arranged to key with a corresponding This die' is 4- groove formed at the inner edge of each slide 39. The mounting head 28 is carried by four columns or rods 3 rising from the work table 35 mounted at the top of the pedestal. Adjustment means, indicated generally at 36 (Figure 1), are provided to permit vertical adjustment of the mounting head assembly relative to the table. This'adjustment permits'the cutting edge of the die" to be positioned accurately relative to the cutting block 24.

The uncut stacks of labels are fed into the machine-by means of a feeder 31 which reciprocates in a horizontal plane lengthwise of the lateral extension 38 of table 35 (Figure 3). As previously noted; the feed plunger 31 reciprocates in timed relationship with the cutter block, being'actuated by the cam 22. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the feeder or pusher is actuated by a lever i'dliaving its lower end pivotally mounted in the pedestal as at 4!, and having an angular foot 42; upon the end of which is pivotally mounted a roller 43; Roller 33 is in contact with the periphery of cam 2,"!- to reciprocate the lever. The upper end of the lever carriesa roller 45in contact' with a thrust member 46 carried by a slide 41. The'opposite end of slide 41 is connected to the pusher 3-? to cause'reciprocation of the pusher. The slide is urged in feeding direction, in the present disclosure, by a weight 39, although a spring also may be used if desired. This causes the slide yieldably to be urged in' feeding dire'c tiori by the weight or spring and to be returned by positive cam operation.

in operation, the stacksa're placed upon the" table extension 38, resting'against the baclr guide 33. As previously'noted, the pedestal of theme chine, similar to" that of my'co-p'e'nding applica ticn, is disposed at an angle (Figure 1) so'that the stacks lean r'earwardly against the back guide; This guide extends inwardly and in alignment with the back guide plate assembly generally ind icate'd at 59. Therefore, the stacked relationship is not disturbed as the'stack of blanks is fed by the pusher upon the cutting block which, at this" stage of the cycle, is at its lower limit of travel, as shown in Figure 2';

The foregoing structure substantially duplicates that illustrated in my co-pe'nding application. and for this reason, is described in a generalized manner. The present improvements are embodied in certain of the guide platesand in the guide finger, and are specifically described with reference to these parts.

As has previously been pointed out, the cut ting block 24 has an individual slot 25 on each of three sides to accommodate the guideplates 26, Zfia and finger 55, and a series of slots 25 at the rear to accommodate the series of guide plates 2350f the back guide assembly 50, During the upward movement of the" head 24', the guides s'ei'v e'to maintainth-blanlfstacks in alignment with the die, to position accurately the printed matter of the label relative re the cutting of the die. V 7

Each guide plate is secur'ed to an adjustment block52 slidably rri'ounted'upona rail 53-, secufed; tothe table 35. A crank 54 having a screw shaft 55 is journalled in a' bearing block l9 also secured to the table. Each screw shaft 55" is in screw-threaded engagement with its block 52 so that theposition of the adjustment block and the guide plate which it carries, may be regulated to ccmpensatefor'sta'clc sizes. The machine" may: be provided with a waste discharge chute" 51; (Figure 1') following the structure disclosed in my prior application. If desired, the chute may be made in sectional form, each plate being pivotally mounted as at 58, upon the slide block to permit collapse of the chute in the manner disclosed in that application. This chute serves to receive the cuttings which are trimmed from the marginal edge of the stacks as they are died out. These trimmings pass upwardly around the outside of the die, and the chute is disposed at an angle so as to discharge the cuttings by gravity as they fall upon it.

At the throat or work-receiving side of the cutter block, the machine includes a guide finger 56 which is maintained in an elevated position above the work table so that the stacks may pass beneath it (Figures 3 and 9). The mounting arrangement for the finger 56 is substantially the same as that for the guide plates with the exception that the adjustment block 52 and its crank 54 is located at one side to permit the stacks to pass beneath the finger as they are fed in. For this purpose the finger is joined to the adjustment block by a laterally extending arm 59. This structure likewise follows that disclosed in my copending application, the finger being provided with latch device which permits it to spring upwardly should the stack, by reason of size, jam beneath the finger. The latch mechanism is generally indicated at 38 (Figure 3), the arrangement including a rotatable shaft EH which extends through the arm 59. The finger 56 is keyed to one end of the shaft and the latch is fixed on the opposite end so that pressure upon the finger will cause the detent or latch 6!] to release, permitting the finger to snap upwardly under stress.

An automatic control switch 62, operated by an arm 83, likewise may be provided. Should the stack be over-size, this arm actuates the switch 62 to shut down the machine. The construction and operation of the finger 5E and switch 82 have been detailed in my co-pending application. However, it will be apparent that the present improvements may be applied to guide fingers having mounting arrangements other than that disclosed, without substantial change in structure or function.

In the die-cutting operation, the stack of labels, indicated at 65 in Figure 9, is fed in upon the cutting block 2d against the righthand guide plate 26a, the stack resting against the guide plates 26b of the assembly 58, by virtue of the slant of the table. The stack thus is held in alignment after the pusher 3? is retracted and the block begins its upward movement toward the die 2?. The stroke of the ram plunger and block 24 is such that the block moves within predetermined proximity to the cutting edge of the die, then retracts, leaving a small pad of untrimmed blanks, indicated at B5, beneath the die. This is done to prevent the cutting block from contacting the cutting edge of the die, and to provide a means for supporting the trimmed labels which are retained in the die and magazine.

In order to support this stack of trimmed labels in the magazine, the guide plates conventionally have been equipped with spring-pressed detents indicated at 57. These detents, in the present instance, are mounted on the righthand guide plate a and the back guide plates 2% of assembly 50, as indicated in Figure 3. As the stack is pressed by the cutting block through the die, these detents are forced into a retracted position to permit the stack to pass, then spring out- Wardly to engage the bottom of the uncut pad 66,

as shown in Figure 9. It has been the practice in the past to provide each one of the guide plates and guide finger with a stack-supporting detent 51. The present improved structure embodies detents 61 only in guide plates 26a and 26b, and these cooperate with the new stack-engaging devices as hereinafter described.

The improved structure is designed primarily to provide more accurate registry of the face of the labels with respect to the cutting die. It will be apparent that normally a slight working clearance should be maintained between the guide members and stack, in order to permit the stack freely to pass between guide plates 25 and 28b in the feed stroke, and to pass the end of the finger 58 during the vertical cutting stroke. This clearance usually is in the neighborhood of of an inch, It will be observed that the stack, although resting by gravity against the guide plates 2612, will be disturbed upon passing the detents 5? just before the sheets of the stack reach the cutting edge of the die, to an extent permitted by the clearance between stack and guide plates. Normally, this degree of shift is not sufficient to affect the quality of the work. However, in the production of work requiring precision alignment, the stack must be aligned more positively and accurately relative to the die.

ihe improvements reside in the use of'a cooperating spring loaded pressure plate and catch, indicated generally at 69. This structure is applied to the guide finger 56 and to the forward guide plate 26, see Figure 3. The structure and operation of this assembly is disclosed in Figures 4 to 8 inclusive.

As disclosed in Figure 6, illustrating the improved arrangement as applied to the guide plate 25, the inner edge of the plate includes a slot lo milled in its upper corner. The spring loaded pressure plate-or trigger H is slidably mounted at the upper end of slot 10 upon a pair of pins iii-J2 which extend crosswise of the slot 13 formed in the inner end of the trigger bar "i4. A hairpin-type spring 75, engaged upon a cross pin '35, has its opposite ends in compression between the inner end of bar M and the back edge of slot 19. The spring thus forces the trigger outwardly the trigger tends to remain in the position illustrated with the rearward end of the slot engaged against the pin 12. A face or pressure plate l? having an inwardly flared lower end 18, is mounted upon the outer end of the slide plate Hi. This plate normally projects a predetermined distance beyond the edge 30 of the guide plate and is adapted to be depressed into fiush relationship with the edge 89 as the stack is fed through the die; As shown in Figure 4, the edge of the'guide plate is provided with a notch 8! to receive the curved end 18 of face plate I? when the plate is depressed.

Immediately beneath and symmetrical with face plate l? is mounted a catch or detent 82.

This catch is pivotally mounted upon a pivot 83 extending across the slot 10. A hairpin-type spring cc engaged upon a crosspin 85 is disposed in compression between the rear edge of the catch and the rear edge of slot 10 to force the catch outwardly. A stop pin 86, likewise extending across slot Ill, serves as a stop to limit outward movement of the catch. To permit a rearward movement of the catch, it is provided with an aperture 8? of sufficient size to provide ample clearance for the pin 86.

As viewed in Figure 5, the catch includes a relatively thin stack-engaging end 88, formed sie'rferamy as integral part '1- the datel'fas by rhi1liiig';- This portion of the catch xtrlids be yond the surface of pressure plate Tl and'Eisden: t'ei'ed with respect to the plateas'" shownin Figure 5 For this purpose; the lower end? of res: sure plate'll' is' slotted as' at SO; clearance bein provided to permitrelative" movements between macadamia theracepnt; g I

This menaceface plate and catch structure also is mounted upon theihner'nd of the' gluide finger 56, as shown in- Figures '7 aridS; anathem fore need not be described detail; Upon refere hce-to Figure 3; it"w'il1"be O16$erved that the stop finger 55 ena rorwai-u guide plateZG, in which this mechanism'is installed}are siirelated that the pressure'plate w of-guide'plfle gt presses the stack toward the back'g'uide platesflii'b'; see-me pressure-plate Ti o'f thefinger 56 p esses thes'ta'ck tcwa'r'd the righthand guide plate-26a;

Upon being positioned 1110011 the cutter block 242 th'e stack maintained" naturally" on a slant toward the back guide plat s 1 2 6b,"an d iri Contact with the'righthandguideplate' 26a? A's-Shown in Figure 9'; the 'pressu're plate andcatch assemblies 69 are located above'the top ofthe stack soas not to interferewith feeding. As the hlochascends (Figure 11) the upper sheets-of the stack engage and depress the pressure plate and eaten assemblies to maintain the-' Stackunde'r spring pressure in contact with'guide plates26a and 26b in the sam'e'relative positionit initially occupied;

Referring to Figures 'Qand 13, it i'stobenoted that the pad 66- of untnmmea labelsis' maintaind under th-dieby means of thG GtBfitsST and catches 82 after the upper portion of the stack has passed through the die.

As-the cutter block ascends-'as shown in' Figures 11 and 12-, the" catch 132 is' depressed independently'of the pressure-plate" by-thepassing stack. Thus the stack is maintained by spring pr'essureagainst the guide plates Z'Baand 26b in accurate alignment with the die. Even if the alignment of the stack is" disturbed in pa'ssing and depressing thedetents 6T, alignment isrestored by the pres's'ure'plat'es 11 after the sheets pass above thedetents'. In'othe r words; the sheets are pressed firmlyin'to frictional engage'rnent'with the upper portions of guide plateS ZGa" and 265 for realignment just before" they reach the cutting edge of the die. Any portion of the stack which is out'of linethereby'is' shifted accurately into alignment just prior" to th cutting opera-- tion.

Thecutting-b'lock is arrangedwseverest that its upper surfa'ce'tr'avels slightly above the top f the detent'B'l" and catch 82 as illustrated in Figure 13. The solidline' 92, Figure 1-3,' represents the bottom of th'pad- 66 at the'uppe r limit of travel and thebroken line represents the'bot tom of the pad resting upon the deteiits and catchesand supporting the trimmed labels iii't'he magazine after'd'es'eeht of the" block. Thus the pad 55 is at all'time'sspring' pressed into positive alignment with the fixed guide plates 25a" and 26b and is not disturbed when the" catch 82 is depressed by'the next stack deem the ind'epe'nd ent movements of" the catchand pressure plate 11. I

The structure and operation disclosed inFigures 9 to 13 are representative of the operation of the improved pressure plate and catch arrangement with respect to the guidefin'ger 55 and guide plate 26a. It will be apparent',-however, that the same conditions prevail with reference to the forward guide'plateifiand'back'guideplatesitb. Inboth institutes, the pressure pate 11 extends beyond the v'ertic'al planeofthe g'uide' plaitessol that as th'edgeoi the stack engages thefla'r'edendlfl, the" faceplate win be retracted under sprin ores: s'ure"arid press the stack firmly against the'dpp'o site guide plate, thus taking'up "the clearanceb'e ttveeiftiie guide p'late'sand'stack. I

It will be apparent, therefore, that with the guide plates properly adjusted relative to the die; the stack will accurately be positioned relativeto the cutting edge of the die 'I here"i's noeppdrtrinity for 'the; stack or for the indii iigiual la b e ls'ln it' to shift relative to the guide platesbe'ca use of theaction-of the spring loaded pressureplates I1 a's'the 'sjheets'approach the "die. It has beeii'found by virtue of this arrangement that labels which must be=cutprecise1y to a line or relativeto the contour of a printed face can be out with" a greater degree of a'ccurz'afc'y' than has heretofore beer'rpos's'ihle. The improvedstructure; of'cours'e; niay b'e' utiliz'ed" in-cutting ordinary work as well as for workrequiring eXceptio'nal accuracy of registration. 7 I

Having descr'ibedmy invention-,1 claim:

1-. A machine for trimming stacks of blank sheets comprising; a hollow stationary die; a'cut' te'r' block movable relative to said die; a feeder for positioning st'a-cksof blanks upon' said cutting block"; guide plates for maintaining the sheetsin stacked relationship during the cutting stroke; detntsmounted'insaid guide plates and adapted to support an unti'imm'ed' portion of each-stack successively, and a ressure plate arranged to force the 'st'ack'into engagement against an appos'ite'g'uide plate to align the stack relativeto-said die.

2. A machine for trimming stacks of blank sheets comprising; a hollow'stationary die; a-c'ut ter block movable re'lativeto' said die; guide plates for maintaining thesheets inst'acked relationshipduringthe cutting stroke, detents mounted in said guide'plates and adapted to support ari'un'. trimmed portion of each stack si'iccessively', and resiliently mounted pressure plates associated with said detentssaid pressure platesarran'g'ed to force the stack into engagement again's't adja ce'nt' guide plates to align the stack relative to'said die during the cutting stroke.

3. A stack cutting machinecompri'sing; asta tionary die; a" movable cutter block; means for feeding stacks onto' said cutter mom; a guide finger and aplurality of guide plates for'guiding said-stacks relative to said die, saidguide finger and an adjacent guide'plate-each'including aresiliently mountedpressure-plate located'above the top of the stack'in'its ifeeding'position, saidgnide finger and adjacent guide" plate being spaced to provide clearance for feeding thestack onto" the cutter block, and said pressure plates being adaptedto force the stack into'engagementwith oppositely disposedadjacent guide plates toialign the's'tacl; accurately with the cutting-die during the cutting movement of the cutter block and stack.

4; A cutting machine font-rimmingstacks of work comprising; a stationary die, a movable cutter block, a'feeder adapted to feed stacks of work to; said cuttelflblock, a guide fingerdisposed" at the staek receiving side of said cutter block at an elevation to'pe'rmit the stacks to pass therebe neath,-a g'u'ide plate for said stack" opposite said guide finger, said guide plate and'finger' spaced to'provid'e clearance for the stack during the out; unggstnike; said guide finger h ving a resiliently mounted pressure plate ad apted tdrcire'e thstatk" into engagement with said opposite guide plate, whereby the stack is engaged against said guide plate to align the stack accurately relative to the die during the cutting with said pressure plate being disposed above the top of the stack in its feeding position to provide stack clearance between the guide finger and arranged to take up the clearance as the upper portion of the stack approaches the cutting edge of the die.

5. A cutting machine for trimming stacks of blanks comprising; a stationary die, a movable cutter block, a feeder adapted to feed stacks of work to said cutter block, a guide finger disposed at the stack receiving side of said cutter block at an elevation to permit the stacks to pass therebeneath, a guide plate for said stack opposite said guide finger, said guide plate and finger spaced to provide clearance for the stack during the cutting stroke, a pair of guide plates disposed at right angles to said guide finger and guide plate and spaced to provide clearance for the stack during the feeding stroke, said guide finger having a resiliently mounted pressure plate adapted to force the stack into engagement with said opposite guide plate and one of said adjacent guide plates provided with a resiliently mounted pressure plate to force the stack into engagement with its opposite guide plate, whereby the stack is engaged against adjoining guide plates to align the stack accurately relative to the die during the cutting stroke, said pressure plates being disposed above the top of the stack in its feeding position to provide clearance between the stack and guide plates during the feeding stroke and arranged to take up the clearance as the upper portion of the stack approaches the cutting edge of the die.

6. In a guide plate for a stack cutting machine, resilient means for engaging the stack with an opposite guide plate to align the stack, comprising; a pressure plate, resilient means for mounting said pressure plate relative to the guide plate, said means arranged to urge said pressure plate outwardly, a detent associated with said pressure plate, said detent having its edge extending beyond the plane of the pressure plate, means for causing the detent to be depressed upon engagement by the stack, said pressure plate and said detent being independently movable whereby said detent is adapted to spring outwardly in stack supporting position as the bottom of the stack passes the same and whereby the pressure plate is adapted to spring independently to stack alignment position.

'7. In a guide plate for a stack cutting machine,

resilient means for engaging the stack with an opposite guide plate to align the stack, comprising; a pressure plate, said guide plate having a slot adapted to receive said pressure plate, means for slidably mounting the pressure plate, a spring element for urging said pressure plate outwardly, a detent associated with said pressure plate, said 10 detent disposed substantially in centered relationship with said pressure plate and having its edge extending beyond the plane of the pressure plate,

spring means for urging said detent outwardly V a pressure plate mounted on said guide finger and on one of said guide plates, a spring element for urging said pressure plate outwardly, a detent associated with each of said pressure plates, said detent disposed substantially in centered relationship with the pressure plate and having its edge extending beyond the plane of the pressure plate, said pressure plate and said detent being independently movable whereby said detent is adapted to spring outwardly in stack supportin position as the bottom of the stack passes the same and whereby the pressure plate is adapted to spring independently to stack alignment position.

9. In a guide plate and guide finger for a stack cutting machine, resilient means for establishing a frictional engagement of the stack with opposite guide plates comprising; a pressure plate respectively for said guide plate and guide finger, said plate having a mounting bar and said guide plate and guide finger respectively having a slot adapted to receive the same, means for slidably mounting said bar, a spring element for urging said pressure plate outwardly, a detent mounted in said slot and associated with said pressure plate, said detent disposed substantially in centered relationship with said pressure plate and having its edge extendin beyond the plane of the pressure plate, spring means to cause the detent to be depressed upon engagement by the stack, said pressure plate and said detent being independently movable whereby said detent is adapted to spring outwardly in stack supporting position as the bottom of the stack passes the same and whereby the pressure plate is adapted to spring independently to stack aligning position.

ELMER F. NOELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,181,639 Curtis Nov. 28, 1939 2,220,056 Donnerberg et a1. Oct. 29, 1940 cw. eate of Correction Petent No. 2,495,659 January 24, 1956 ELMER Fa NOELL It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 9, line 4, after cutting insert the word and comma stroke,;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiioe.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant flommigaioner of Patents. 

